If you're outside the ropes, you're a patron. If you're inside the ropes, you're a golfer.

In his first Masters go-round last year, Marc Leishman admitted he was a bit of a spectator. He got caught up a bit in the magic and mystique of Bobby Jones' cathedral of golf, posted scores of 72 and 79, and was excused from weekend play.

Leishman let the patrons do the spectating Thursday, and a lot were watching him in the first round of the 77th Masters. He strung four birdies on the back side for a 6-under-par 66, good for a share of the lead with Sergio Garcia.

"I would find myself thinking about what I'd seen on TV as a kid," Leishman, a 29-year-old Australian, said of last year's maiden Masters voyage. "I'd think about Freddie Couples' ball staying up in the bank on 12, or someone chipping in on the right-hand side of 11."

The awe-struck Leishman has given way to a ball-striking Leishman, who hit 13 of 18 greens in regulation and needed only 25 putts, tied for second fewest in the 93-player field.

On a day when the average score was a comfortable 73.06, the big names kept themselves in it.

"It's a good start," said Woods, who shot opening-round 70s in three of his four Masters victories. "Some years some guys shot 65 starting out here, but right now I'm only four back."

Guan Tianlang, the 14-year-old from China, officially became the youngest competitor in tournament history and played like he wants to stay around. He birdied the final hole for a 73.

"I'm having fun so far this week," Guan said. "It's amazing, playing the Masters, and why don't you have fun?"

Zach Johnson, thanks to an eagle on 13, held a share of the lead before he bogeyed 17.

"Every time you play here," he said, "you learn something about the golf course."

He is one stroke clear of a six-way pileup at 4-under 68, a group that includes Rickie Fowler, who needed only 21 putts, and 53-year-old Fred Couples, who bogeyed the final hole.

David Lynn, an Englishman who earned his first Masters invitation with a runner-up finish in the PGA Championship, was the first to post 68. When Lynn was ushered into the interview room, he led the tournament. By the time he left 15 minutes later, he was two strokes behind Leishman.

"I was on the ninth, and my caddie said, 'You're leading the Masters,'" Lynn said. "He just looked at me and smiled. I said, 'I'd rather be leading it Sunday afternoon.'"